Australian Crowd Abuse made me stronger - Murali

Muttiah Muralitharan attributes his recent good form to the abuse that he faced during VB series in Australia this January. "If there is one thing that maybe has helped me this year it was the experience I had in Australia," Murali told Bigstarcricket website.

"It may sound a strange thing to say as it was a very tough tour for me on and off the field, especially with the abuse we received."

Murali was greeted with chants of 'no-ball' by Australian crowds during the series. He was first no-balled at Melbourne by umpire Darrell Hair in Sri Lanka's tour of Australia in 1995.

"If you go through difficult times and come out the other side, you become a stronger character for it," Murali said. That's what happened to me. I like to think that I am quite strong mentally anyway. But these sort of experiences only make me more determined."

Murali has had a phenomenal run of form the past year collecting 108 Test wickets at an average of 19.37, from 15 matches between September 2005 and August 2006. But in one-day cricket during that period, Murali has got only 36 wickets from 28 matches. "Cricket is like this, wickets can come all at once and at other times you can bowl well and maybe not receive your rewards," Murali said.

"I am in some good form but I wouldn't say it is necessarily the best form of my career. I am just bowling well and have found some good rhythm. For the last year I have bowled well and I haven't done anything different in these series than at other times," he added.

Only a bunch of convicts having been beaten 3-0 and gone 9 tests without a win and won just 1 in 11 against England could go into the home series saying they will win. England will win in Australia again this winter as they are a better side which they have shown this summer. 3-0 doesn't lie girls.

Am I the only person who thinks Murali probably shouldn't have gone here? And I speak as somebody supportive of him not wanting to put up with some of the more ridiculous abuse that gets thrown at him.

"Youre known for having a liking for men who look like women."
- Linda

"FFS I'm sick and tired of having to see a bloke bend over to pick something up or lean over and see their arse crack. For christ's sake pull your pants up or buy some underpants you bogan because nobody want's to see it. And this is a boat building shed (well one of them) not a porn studio."
- Craig

Am I the only person who thinks Murali probably shouldn't have gone here? And I speak as somebody supportive of him not wanting to put up with some of the more ridiculous abuse that gets thrown at him.

I have to be honest, I were an Aussie terrace wit such talk would encourage me to raise my game on his next visit.

Everyone cops abuse in Australia, Tuffnell, Symcox, Cullinan, Donald have all copped it heavily, and Panesar will get shredded when he goes there this winter.. It's part and parcel of touring said country, and if Murali doesn't like it, well then he's in the wrong game

Originally Posted by vic_orthdox

Don't like using my iPod dock. Ruins battery life too much.

Originally Posted by benchmark00

Thanks Dick Smith. Will remember to subscribe to your newsletter for more electronic fun facts.

Am I the only person who thinks Murali probably shouldn't have gone here? And I speak as somebody supportive of him not wanting to put up with some of the more ridiculous abuse that gets thrown at him.

Yeah but on the other hand Sit would have been a big blow for the Sri Lankans mentally if he didn't come and he probably didn't want to be shirking his responsibility and by not touring it would mean that the crowds have won.

I agree it is pretty ridiculous, but generally when these morons get drunk their IG usually drops by about 50 points anyway.

Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick once and you suck forever...

RIP Fardin Qayyumi, a true legend of CW

Originally Posted by Boobidy

Bradman never had to face quicks like Sharma and Irfan Pathan. He wouldn't of lasted a ball against those 2, not to mention a spinner like Sehwag.

Everyone cops abuse in Australia, Tuffnell, Symcox, Cullinan, Donald have all copped it heavily, and Panesar will get shredded when he goes there this winter.. It's part and parcel of touring said country, and if Murali doesn't like it, well then he's in the wrong game

Everyone cops abuse in Australia, Tuffnell, Symcox, Cullinan, Donald have all copped it heavily, and Panesar will get shredded when he goes there this winter.. It's part and parcel of touring said country, and if Murali doesn't like it, well then he's in the wrong game